Sandals- What kinds do you prefer?

[SacredCow]

I've been a Birkenstock kind of dude for many, many years- I can walk for miles in them and not feel like my feet are much worse for the wear.

Recently, my sister gave me a pair of sandals that she bought for her husband (they didn't fit him, but they fit me perfectly). They're pretty nice, I guess- Tommy Bahama or some crap like that... BUT- they've got that strap that goes between your big and 2nd toes, which I haven't done in a long, long time. I tried to wear them all weekend, to break them in for an upcoming trip, and the pain is pretty epic. I don't think I'll be able to stand them for a week.

[KitchenWitch]

1. Are they flip flops?

I love my Birkenstocks, but I also love my flip flops. If I am walking around a lot (especially theme parks, hiking, etc.) I need to wear either my cross trainers or my hiking boots.

[SacredCow]

3. They're built like flip-flops...

but they're leather.

[KitchenWitch]

5. My flip flops are leather as well with a suede covered footbed

Once I got them broken in, they became fantastic. At first, not so much though.

[SacredCow]

7. I wonder how long that'll take....

My birks are the 2-strap standard:

[KitchenWitch]

13. My Birks have the ankle strap

Took me about a week or so to break my flip flops in.

[tigereye]

20. like those buffalo sandals (actually I think there were from India)

from the 60s? I loved those at the time, and I think Gandhi wore em.


Whoops, wait, those had a big toe ring.

[old mark]

2. I posted about my old pair of birkenstock Betulas. I never found anything as

comfortable, better start saving up to buy their replacement pair in a few years, though - they got pretty expensive over the last 5 years or so.
No republicans wear them, ever.
mark

[SacredCow]

9. Yeah... But they're worth the price...

For the comfort factor alone. And if you take care of them, they do last a long time.

[old mark]

19. I have had these for around 5 years, look like they are good for

another decade.

I hope I am, now that I think of it.

mark

[3.14158675309]

4. I used to wear Birks, but I graduated to Teva, and am now experimenting with

Keen. Still love the classic Teva sandal look, though:



:hi:

[SacredCow]

6. I went through a TEVA phase in college...

(when I couldn't afford Birks)

I still have a pair, and will sometimes wear them when it's wet and rainy (NOT good for Birks).

[3.14158675309]

12. As you know, I'm in MN, but I wore my Keens most of the winter

They are sort of a hybrid sandal:


I love them, but they have too much coverage for my taste in the summer. I'll be going back to the Tevas :-)

[SacredCow]

14. Those are interesting....

I'm not sure I'd categorize them as sandals, at first glance. I'll have to see if I can find some of those around here to look at.

[3.14158675309]

15. The lines are definitely being blurred. The heal is the culprit, but I also have a pair of these:

The differences are rather minimal otherwise.

[SacredCow]

16. That looks more sandal-y....

I don't think I could wear them to the boat, though- I'd be spending my whole day rubbing off scuff marks from the deck. My Birks, for some reason, don't leave marks on the gel-coat... :shrug:

[Rambis]

8. ALP sandals

You faxed a tracing of your foot to the office in California and two weeks later they sent you a pair of the best made, water proof, no slip sandals ever! TEVA bought them out and they are no more. I took a new pair out of the box and went on an 8 mile hike with no problems. I have one pair left-

[travelingtypist]

10. Wolky.

I get them at my local wide shoe outlet. They're pricey but they're
so comfortable.

[mentalsolstice]

11. Merrells and Keens

Both have thick soles, so they're good for long walks.

[Gonzo Gardener]

17. Birkenstock's, Birki's, and Keen's

SacredCow, don't mess around with shoes that hurt your feet. Uncomfortable shoes can ruin a trip.

If it's warm enough to wear sandals, I'm usually in my garden or slogging through muddy creeks, swamps/marshes, on and off boats, in and out of kayaks/canoes, or at the beach. The sandals I wear have to be durable, comfortable, washable, and waterproof. It's also a plus if they float!

I've been wearing Birkenstock shoes/clogs and sandals for almost 30 years and nothing compares. They are, by far, the most comfortable and durable shoes ever made. I had been exclusively wearing Birki sandals (developed by Birkenstock in the 1990's) until last summer when I picked up a pair of Keen's at a half off sale. I really like them for hiking because of the toe protection, secure fit, and comfort, but I will never give up my Birki 'Haiti's'. They seem to last for around three summers while taking serious abuse and are approximately half the price of a pair of Keen sandals.

http://www.birki.de/shoes-sandals-clogs/int/collection_...

Donate those Tommy Bahama shoes and enjoy your trip! :hi:

[SacredCow]

18. I've already made up my mind that the Tommy Bahamas are staying home...

My current Birkenstocks are damn near worn out, but they'll get me through the trip, I think.